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In the aftermath of a challenging first Test match against England at the Old Trafford, Manchester, former Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal expressed immense pride in the visiting team’s performance despite a five-wicket loss. The match, which saw England chase down 205 runs in their second innings, showcased both the strengths and areas for improvement within the Sri Lankan squad.
Dinesh Chandimal terms it as a rollercoaster of emotions
Chandimal’s post-match comments highlighted the emotional highs and lows experienced by his team.
“We are over the moon as a team, not for the result but the way we played in this game is unbelievable. In the first half an hour on the first day, we lost three wickets. Milan [Rathnayake] and Dhananjaya batted brilliantly and took us through the game,” Chandimal stated emphasizing the team’s resilience in the face of adversity.
The match began on a shaky note for Sri Lanka, losing three wickets within the first half-hour, but the partnership between Milan Rathnayake and Dhananjaya de Silva steadied the ship, allowing the team to recover and post a respectable first innings total of 236.
Key performers shine amidst challenges
Reflecting on the batting performance, Chandimal praised the efforts of his teammates. The duo’s contributions were crucial in building a foundation after the initial collapse, with Rathnayake scoring 72 runs and de Silva adding 74.
However, Chandimal acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly from the tailenders, stating, “We really fought back as a team. We were short of 40-50 runs but every time we are telling this after losing the game, we have to learn that and especially our tailenders didn’t contribute that well. If they could hang in there for 10-15 overs, we could have got those runs so unfortunately it didn’t click.”
Also READ: Twitter reactions: Joe Root shines in England’s nervy victory over Sri Lanka in Manchester Test.
Chandimal looks at the bowling brilliance as silver lining
On the bowling front, Chandimal was equally effusive in his praise for Asitha Fernando and Prabath Jayasuriya, who both delivered commendable performances throughout the innings.
“When we come to the bowling, Asitha and Prabath have done a tremendous job throughout the innings,” he remarked, highlighting their critical roles in keeping the game competitive.
Asitha’s efforts were particularly notable, as he took key wickets and demonstrated his potential as a future star for Sri Lanka.
Learning from defeat is a step towards improvement
Despite the disappointment of the loss, Chandimal remained optimistic about the future.
“We have a lot of positive stuff so I’m sure we can give a good fight again at Lord’s and I’m sure we can win a game here before we go back to Sri Lanka,” he asserted.
This positive mindset is essential for a team looking to build momentum and confidence in upcoming matches.
Chandimal acknowledging individual brilliance
Chandimal also took a moment to commend the performance of debutant Kamindu Mendis, who scored a century in his first Test match.
“He is unbelievable. First tour to England with the national team, in the first game scoring a century. It’s a wonderful thing to do, he is a world class player as far as I’m concerned” Chandimal said, reflecting on Mendis’ remarkable achievement.
Chandimal’s own experience of taking two tours to score a century in England made Mendis’ feat even more impressive in his eyes.
“If he can come and play in county cricket for one or two years, it will be really good for him, for his future,” he added, recognizing the potential for growth and development in Mendis’ career.
Chandimal also shared insights into his own journey, revealing that he had recently dealt with an injury.
“I had the same injury six months ago… hopefully, I’ll be fit to play the next game,” he mentioned, demonstrating his commitment to the team and his desire to contribute fully in future matches.
England getting the best out of Sri Lanka
The first Test match saw England emerge victorious by five wickets. Sri Lanka struggled in their first innings, scoring 236 runs, with notable contributions from Rathnayake and de Silva. England responded with 358 runs, capitalizing on Sri Lanka’s bowling inconsistencies. In their second innings, Sri Lanka made 326 runs, but England chased down the target of 205 with relative ease, securing the win.
The match showcased the potential of the Sri Lankan team while also highlighting areas that require attention. As they prepare for the next challenge at Lord’s, the focus will be on building on the positives and addressing the shortcomings identified during this match. Chandimal’s leadership and the team’s collective spirit will be crucial as they aim for a turnaround in fortunes.
